Game 5 Thread: PHI @ NOH

I couldnt Agree more that this is a must win. Starting off the season at 4-2 coming into your home opener against an atrocious Pistons team is much better than being 3-3. I think EB will have a better game, but not something extrordinary and I think Jrue will give Jack fits on the defensive end. Also, with Ariza out who is the wing that will be gaurding Iggy??

Is Belinelli still starting at point? If he is, then can they trust Meeks on the ball? I sure wouldn't. I would give Meeks a chance to get hot early and if he doesn't then bring in Turner to solidify the perimeter.

A clarification: Sixers will get Memphis' second-round pick in 2012 only if Grizzlies don't finish as one of top five NBA teams in regular season. It's a long shot, but Sixers would get nothing from Memphis if it cracks top five. "It's a one-shot deal," said Rod Thorn via email.

Can't really fathom why Thorn would agree to such a condition, but whatever, it's a worthless pick anyway. I'm just happy for Speights to get a chance to play somewhere else, once you enter Collins' doghouse you never get out.

I'm not sure it really matters. He's played virtually every 4th quarter minute so far for the Wolves (in fact, he may have played all 12 every game). They may just keep him in this role to keep his comfort level, although I don't think he needs it.

Bellineck Beard wanted no part of ET on an earlier drive. That's a good matchup. Meeks not looking good and especially didn't like his step-back (I think) revengen jumper when Gordon owned him. Gotta keep Dre or E.T. on Gordon imo.

PHI 67, NOH 73 after three. Great energy, great run to take the led back, then completely pissed it away. I have no idea why Meeks played that entire quarter, he was terrible on the defensive end and hit one shot on offense. Makes no sense to me.

I know he's going with short rotations tonight but Dre has only played 19 minutes. We needed his D that last 3 minutes if nothing else. They were all at the rim after he went small, just a complete brain fart by Doug. Would like to hear what his method was to his supposed madness after game w/ those quirky lineups there.

Pessimism time - got to come out of the gates better when they get home. Just too much of an uphill climb with these holes they're digging early. Like tonight, they were swarming on D in the 4th, if they play half like that in the 1st and 2nd we annihilate these guys.

Interested to see what Lou pipes in the mic after the game. He was not pleased at all and probably has a right to not be. Think he had something like 10+ pts in 3 of 4 fourth quarters so far.

If Jrue can dial it in like that from distance, there is ZERO reason why ET can't run the offense and Jrue can be the deep-ball threat. Iguodala just has to learn to get his within the flow of the offense and not force things.

Can Hawes keep playing anything close to this level for the next 5 months?

Fun game especially coming out with the W. I saw flashes of old Lou and am glad DC went with Turner. Also glad he put AI and ET on Turner to cool him down - 22 on 22 after a crazy first quarter for him. Biggest difference tonight was that Collins didn't exclusively run the Hawes Handoff offense and let Jrue and ET set up the O. I'm sticking what I've contended previously: ET is the best halfcourt player on the team. JTI showed up well tonight andn in proper order: JT as options 1-2 and I in transiton/hustle/D.

I know this is only going to add fuel to the fire, but honestly only one Sixer had a bad game, and his play was responsible for a lot of the problems the team had the entire night. And for some reason, Doug went with him for the entire third quarter.

Depends. I think Meeks' shot will start falling soon. It's not really who is starting but who is closing out. JTI should be used in the fourth quarter for defense, and this is where Turner's role will grow. Meeks doesn't work well with Lou or Thad, and this would weaken the bench - one of the strongest aspects of the team.

I said last year that he should be cut, and I said this year that he should be cut. Not basing it on the small sample size but instead basing it on his lack of basketball talent. Even at his best, he can't pass, dribble, or defend. He hasn't a semblance of a mid-range game. His best is as a barely 40% 3-point specialist, which is mediocre for a 3-point specialist. And that's his best. I honestly believe that if you release him, he won't even get picked up by another NBA team.

i see. So it`s more of a personal grudge than reality. I didnt know there was a such thing as a mediocre three-point specialist. Just one question, how did you manage to have beer goggles on for Spence last year but no love for Jodie?

Meeks is playing worse than that, but he's got some time behind him which gives him more rope than a rookie who's never played in the league. He's not going to shoot less than 20% from three for the whole year, he's just ice cold right now, and the rest of his game isn't good enough to cover for him when he isn't doing his one specialty.

Tonight, Demarcus, of all people, was the model of efficiency, with 26 points in 25 minutes on 12 shots, 16 possessions. Also had 3 steals, 3 blocks - and fouled out. Rubio had 12 points and 10 assists in a loss, made both his threes. Bismack played 4 minutes, fouled someone. Greg Monroe had 19, 13 and 5. LeBron, playing without Wade, had 33, 8 and 13.